Visitors from the Woods | Campsite #75 New Brighton State Beach

Campsite #75 at New Brighton State Beach in Santa Cruz, California had one of the best ocean views and seemed like the perfect relaxing spot. It was heaven having the ocean within your reach. Standing at our campsite, we can see miles of water, and gorgeous waves crashing on the sandy beach. We couldn’t be happier, or more excited. We set-up our tent and camping chairs right in front of the ocean view.
At 7 pm the sun went away and it was already dark. We went inside the tent to watch a family movie and spend Quality Time. Trinity was tired so the movie had to wait until after she goes to sleep. 15 minutes later I spotted shadows on our tent. I glued my eyes to them because it seemed as if the shadows were right in front of our tent. Once I focused on their shapes I realized they were shadows of cats! I called to SO to go see where the cats were. SO found them dancing around on our picnic table, so he shoo them away.

We were relief they were cats, and tried to put Trinity back to sleep. About half hour later, we heard a very loud noise and then more to follow.SO jumped up and ran out of the tent, followed right behind him was MattLove. SO let out a couple of yells because our campsite was under attacked by a bunch of raccoons. Our food supply was in big tubs with tightly closed lids, but the raccoons were very insisting. They knew how to knock over the tubs so that the lids would come off and then went to town.

Even when the raccoons saw SO and MattLove, they were not leaving. They hung around, lurking by the fences, and seemed to be challenging us in a stare down contest. At this point we can see the three obvious holes where the raccoons used as access to visit #75 campers. We then realized along with the premium title for campsite #75 and the premium price we paid, it came with premium excitement too!

First look at these shrubs normal people would not be able to tell that they are holes, access for the raccoons. But once our visitors came and hung around in the tunnels it was no doubt these holes were constructed over time and would have been obvious to the rangers.

All at once, the premium site was too noise with loud sounds of waves. The waves were so loud and seemed to echoed even more at night when everything else was quiet. I didn’t sleep the whole night. The thought of the raccoons coming back this time for our tent wasn’t good either. The beautiful thoughts from The Unfinished Business at New Brighton Beach disintegrated on this night.

Then remembering on the way up to New Brighton State Beach, Santa Cruz, California I read some reviews on Yelp. There was one in particular that I read aloud to SO while we were driving up to the camp. She wrote that she loved the camping ground, but it has changed since she last visited. The camping sites were infested with cats and raccoons, dogs running around off their leashes, and the limits on people, or cars per campsite were not enforced. She thought that the rangers could do a better job at enforcing the codes, and something about the infestation. SO and I dismissed it, because for one, we already paid for the spot, two, we thought people sometimes just like to give an opposing views for the sake of adding value. Thirdly, we wouldn’t know it’s true unless we actually took the trip. This is all true...

It would not be so disappointing if the rangers could give us a courtesy warning about #75 campsite. The same way that they had warned us about the theft problem as we pulled up, but they left us to be surprised. And now, New Brighton Beach has to be my least favorite camping spot, because the place has lost its tranquility and peacefulness, not to mention the maintenance has gone down the tube. If you knew this campsite when I knew it, By Chance We Met, you would be disappointed too.

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Oh, Amanda, how disappointing to look forward to something you have enjoyed in the past and have it turn out to be filled with negative experiences. It was an adventure, though, but it sounds like it was definitely NOT a tranquil, restful camping experience!

Yes, SO tried to keep a positive attitude, but I like to see things as they are. It was more like a nightmare - aside from all the time we spent with the kids of course. The sad thing is, I should have never gone back so that I could keep those memories just as precious. It spoiled my thoughts of the campsite, but not so much the memories of how we met and how beautiful it was that night on the beach.

Love the pictures of the water, it does look so relaxing!!! Sorry that your place has changed so much, and for all those critters, how scary... I would have been sleeping in the car!!!Blessings~~~ Daphne

I thought about sleeping in the car the second night, but all of us would not have fit in the car. And if I ever go back, it would be in an RV...but probably not to this campsite again..OMG. I wished it didn't happen.

The place is New Brighton Beach, if you ask anyone, there is no denying that it is one of the most gorgeous and convenient campsite there is. However, it has changed, and the peace and serenity isn't the same.

This blog post is the best I can do besides the phone calls to them. They don't give a damn. I am just hoping that this post will help others aware of the state of the campsite today so that they can make a smart decision.

I just found your blog via the hop and look forward to following along and hope you may wish to do the same! I recall visiting Santa Cruz with my parents when when I was in high school... it seems like ages ago! Blessings,jwww.beneaththeacaciatree.com

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